as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
an eating disorder that would impel her to lay up candy bars in her closet for all-night food binges
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay up
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Marta Suárez (7) lays up a first half shot against the Houston Cougars during the first half at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, February 4, 2026.
—
Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The only time the Fitzgerald made it to its homeport of Milwaukee was when the ship was laid up during the 1959 steel strike, from June to October.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Female moths can lay up to 500 eggs at a time.7 Pantry moths are most destructive in their larval stage, so discouraging this stage will help prevent the infestation from spreading.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
The Ryder Cup hopeful laid up, only to leave his approach shot in the water.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay up
Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The only time the Fitzgerald made it to its homeport of Milwaukee was when the ship was laid up during the 1959 steel strike, from June to October.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Female moths can lay up to 500 eggs at a time.7 Pantry moths are most destructive in their larval stage, so discouraging this stage will help prevent the infestation from spreading.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
The Ryder Cup hopeful laid up, only to leave his approach shot in the water.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay up
Verb
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But Sorgenfrei said the cost and efficiency of storing a backup bike in the Peninsula won't be feasible.—
Sooji Nam,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Ultraviolet light from its host star triggers the creation of sulfur dioxide in the upper atmosphere, and a massive sub-surface magma ocean acts as a buffer, storing and releasing volatile gases over billions of years.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Within a day, their headquarters near Tehran’s Azadi Stadium lay in ruins.—
Richard Goldberg,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
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The patient lay in an operating room at St Bernard's Hospital.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to Spickard, the top slots are useful for stashing brushes and pencils.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
15 Mar. 2026
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Everly Quinn Shoe Storage Cabinet Set For big households—or avid shoe collectors—this set of cabinets can stash up to 32 pairs in four flip-out drawers.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Mar. 2026
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20up. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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